William Dalrymple, James Naughtie, Rory Stewart MP and Peter Sacks are among the names appearing at the fourth Books, Borders and Bikes literature festival at Traquair House.

The event, on August 17/18, is headed by Mark Muller QC, who lives at Traquair with wife Catherine Maxwell Stuart.

Visitors will be able to see General Sir Mike Jackson, former UK Chief of General Staff, US Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Jorie Graham, Colombian writer and philosopher Oscar Guardiola Rivera, and a host of other leading cultural figures debate a series of topical issues.

Harvard professor Peter Sacks will discuss Sir Walter Scott’s credentials as a literary nationalist, international lawyer Ben Emmerson QC will speak about his latest report on drone strikes, and former soldier and war photographer Paul Conroy will talk about his time under fire in Syria with journalist Marie Colvin.

Visitors will also be able to see Saudi Arabian artist Manal Al Dowayan’s powerful I AM photographic exhibition.

In addition, there are outdoor activities including family storytelling bike rides and walks, and a bike ride with pro-cyclist Rob Penn.

Muller said: “Scotland has a unique cultural and political heritage, and we’re delighted we have managed to attract so many leading politicians, diplomats and writers from across the globe to debate and help foster an understanding of some of the most important issues facing the world today.”